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What happened to my dog??
My Doberman died in his sleep on Saturday night and we found him yesterday morning. He was 10yrs and 6 months old. He had been ok in the afternoon. He had his tea at 6pm as usual and had eaten the lot like always. We let him out at 10pm to do his business when he came back in he was acting strange. His stomach looked a little swollen but I just thought it was from his tea. He just flopped on his bed and fell asleep (this is nothing new he was a VERY lazy dog and always did this)We thought that the cold weather must be getting to him because of his age. I said I would take him to the vets if he was no better on Sunday. But as I said he passed away in his sleep. I'm just so upset and wondered if there was anything we could have done different. Or if anyone knows what could have killed him. Thanks
Hello. The consensus from others seems to be a cardiac problem, which I would tend to agree with. If it was something he had eaten there would likely have been additional symptoms. A heart attack is fast and often undetermined - and it is not untypical for it to occur while dogs are sleeping.
I think you are right to assume his time had come. Sometimes, losing a dog so suddenly is a bigger shock than after a prolonged illness, because the shock of loss is instantaneous and riddled with questions. I am so very sorry for your loss. The only thing I can say is, because it happened quickly and in his sleep, you know he didn't suffer. As others have said, passing away while sleeping is perhaps the best way to go, even if it means we don't get the opportunity to say goodbye.
You are in my thoughts tonight. And it's nice to hear from someone in Liverpool ... I'm in Blackpool, so not that far away. Tony x
I think you are right to assume his time had come. Sometimes, losing a dog so suddenly is a bigger shock than after a prolonged illness, because the shock of loss is instantaneous and riddled with questions. I am so very sorry for your loss. The only thing I can say is, because it happened quickly and in his sleep, you know he didn't suffer. As others have said, passing away while sleeping is perhaps the best way to go, even if it means we don't get the opportunity to say goodbye.
You are in my thoughts tonight. And it's nice to hear from someone in Liverpool ... I'm in Blackpool, so not that far away. Tony x
I have had three dogs (all bulldogs) die suddenly. 2 were elderly and one had severe congenital heart issues and lived to be 6 1/2 after the original diagnosis that she would probably not make it past one year. 2 had heart attacks, and my very elderly boy had a massive stroke while sleeping in his crate.
It is horrible to lose a loved one so suddenly, but the one thing I tried to focus on is it was perfect for them. No pain, no suffering, they all just went peacefully to sleep and didn't wake up. Pretty much the way we would all like to go.
My condolences on the loss of your treasured dog.
It is horrible to lose a loved one so suddenly, but the one thing I tried to focus on is it was perfect for them. No pain, no suffering, they all just went peacefully to sleep and didn't wake up. Pretty much the way we would all like to go.
My condolences on the loss of your treasured dog.
I know that a bloated dog (twisted stomach) would show signs before becoming fatal, but it would have to be treated immediately. A ruptured spleen - people die right away with that, so I think animals would as well.
I'm so sorry for your loss!
If he wasn't showing any signs of pain of stress then it's not very likely that it was gastric dilatationnn with volvulus (GDV) or bloat. Bloat is an extremely painful, stressful condition where the stomach and spleen essentially switch places with each other, causing the intestines to lose their blood supply and die. The dog tries to vomit but can't and usually just ends up throwing up large amounts of foam and saliva. They are unable to relax because there is no position they can get into where they are comfortable. If they don't have the condition surgically corrected, death occurs within a few hours. If your guy was able to comfortably lie in his bed and go to sleep, it was not bloat.
It sounds to me like some sort of cardiac incident. Being a large breed like a Doberman, 10 years of age is considered to be elderly, so inasmuch as it is NEVER easy to say goodbye, he had reached the life expectancy for a dog of his breed. Yes, some live longer but 10 is considered to be a good age for a large breed to reach.
As far as his abdomen appearing to be puffy or swollen, it could be that if he had some kind of cardiac issue going on, his kidneys were shut down and he was retaining fluids. This is not unusual with cardiac issues. It could have been something that had been happening over the course of a couple of days that just didn't take its toll until that night. Of course, the only way to tell for sure would be to have the vet perform a necropsy on him.
My deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences to you. No matter how long we have them, it is never long enough.
Ghilly
If he wasn't showing any signs of pain of stress then it's not very likely that it was gastric dilatationnn with volvulus (GDV) or bloat. Bloat is an extremely painful, stressful condition where the stomach and spleen essentially switch places with each other, causing the intestines to lose their blood supply and die. The dog tries to vomit but can't and usually just ends up throwing up large amounts of foam and saliva. They are unable to relax because there is no position they can get into where they are comfortable. If they don't have the condition surgically corrected, death occurs within a few hours. If your guy was able to comfortably lie in his bed and go to sleep, it was not bloat.
It sounds to me like some sort of cardiac incident. Being a large breed like a Doberman, 10 years of age is considered to be elderly, so inasmuch as it is NEVER easy to say goodbye, he had reached the life expectancy for a dog of his breed. Yes, some live longer but 10 is considered to be a good age for a large breed to reach.
As far as his abdomen appearing to be puffy or swollen, it could be that if he had some kind of cardiac issue going on, his kidneys were shut down and he was retaining fluids. This is not unusual with cardiac issues. It could have been something that had been happening over the course of a couple of days that just didn't take its toll until that night. Of course, the only way to tell for sure would be to have the vet perform a necropsy on him.
My deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences to you. No matter how long we have them, it is never long enough.
Ghilly
Thanks for your kind words. Yes I'm British and from Liverpool haha! He was very old for his breed and already had hip problems. He had no enemies and was at home in our garden which is fenced off. Now I've had time to process what has happened i realise that he was an old dog and sometimes it's just their time. Thank you again xxx
Shannon, crossed my mind too but I have never had a dog with bloat. Don't they express some signs of pain or discomfort that would gradually get worse?
Same thing with a splenic rupture or would complications from that be fatal quickly?
Same thing with a splenic rupture or would complications from that be fatal quickly?
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. Except for the abdominal issue, sounds like he seemed about his usual self. Many of us have lost dogs suddenly and, unless a necropsy is done, you may never know the cause.
Hugs
Hugs
No telling, really. It could have been a heart attack, a fatal stroke, anything that is fatal and sudden. I am sorry for your loss! Blessings - Blu
Sorry to read of your loss.
Tea for a dog? Not sure about that but it sounds very British ; )
The swollen stomach sounds like the problem source, what could you dog have eaten while outside (did it have any enemies?)... was the dog on your property, fenced, or out in public when outside. I ask only as that seems to be the origin of your problem, and the dog's age. I don't know wheat the life expectancy for the breed is but I suspect it is about 10-11 years.
It reads that your dog died in peace, not in pain, that is a blessing in my mind.
Tea for a dog? Not sure about that but it sounds very British ; )
The swollen stomach sounds like the problem source, what could you dog have eaten while outside (did it have any enemies?)... was the dog on your property, fenced, or out in public when outside. I ask only as that seems to be the origin of your problem, and the dog's age. I don't know wheat the life expectancy for the breed is but I suspect it is about 10-11 years.
It reads that your dog died in peace, not in pain, that is a blessing in my mind.
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